Date: Mon, 7 Oct 1996 16:35:03 -0700 From: glaad@glaad.org (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Subject: GLAADLines 10.07.96 GLAADLINES contact: Don Romesburg (415) 861-2244 romesburg@glaad.org http://www.glaad.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 1996 News, Tips, and Breaking Stories about the Gay & Lesbian Community MASSIVE MEMORIAL AIDS QUILT DISPLAYED ON NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY: From October 11 to 13, the entirety of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed in Washington, D.C. October 11 was chosen because it coincides with National Coming Out Day. The quilt, now double the size of its 1992 showing, has 45,000 memorial panels spanning the length of 30 football fields and is expected to draw 750,000 visitors. Many major AIDS-related events will also take place in D.C. throughout the weekend. On October 12, Hands Around the Capitol, will bring 10,000 families, friends and partners of those claimed by the AIDS epidemic together to form a human chain around the U.S. Capitol in an expression of solidarity and commitment to end the AIDS epidemic. In addition, on October 13, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) will stage a political funeral in front of the White House. Demonstrators will bring the ashes of those who have died of AIDS to protest government inaction and pharmaceutical price gouging. For more information contact Greg Lugliani (NAMES Project) at (202) 296-2637 or pgr. (800) 821-6091; Jose Zuniga (Hands Around the Capitol) at (202) 986-1300; Wayne Turner (ACT UP) at (202) 547-6780. QUILT BRINGS FIRST-EVER GAY YOUTH MARCH TO THE CAPITOL: On October 12 over 500 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth will engage in the first-ever Gay Youth March on Washington. The march is part of the Second Annual IYG (Indianapolis Youth Group) National Youth Festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered youth, which will be in D.C. October 11-13. Many other lesbian and gay organizations are sponsoring major conferences and events throughout the Quilt weekend. October 10-14, LLEGO (National Latino/a Lesbian and Gay Organization) will hold the Fourth Encuentro Conference: Sembrando La Semilla. Additionally, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) has planned Love Takes Action: Building a Nation of Equality from October 11-14. For more information contact Michele O'Mara (IYG) at (317) 541-8726; Frank J. Guzman (LLEGO) at (202) 466-8530; Shelley Golden (PFLAG) at (202) 638-4200. JENNY JONES CASE GOES TO TRIAL: On October 8, the "Jenny Jones case," in which Jonathan Schmitz is charged with first degree murder for the shooting of Scott Amedure after both men appeared on The Jenny Jones Show, goes to trial in Pontiac, Michigan. During the taping, Schmitz learned that his "secret admirer" was his gay neighbor, Amedure. Several days later, Schmitz allegedly went to Amedure's mobile home and shot him twice at close range. He later confessed to police, and has been quoted as saying, "He's gay, I'm not. That's why I killed him." The defense claims the humiliation of the talk show as well as mental illness drove him to confusion and rage and that Schmitz did not intend to kill Amedure. According to Jeffrey Montgomery of the Triangle Project, Michigan's lesbian and gay anti-violence program, "We have been very concerned and fearful that the Jenny Jones element could divert attention from the fact that this is a pure case of anti-gay violence resulting in the murder of a young man." Court TV plans live coverage of the trial beginning at 9 am EDT, October 8. For more information contact Jeffrey Montgomery (Triangle Project) at (313) 537-3323. TWO MORE SENATORS EVADE POST-DOMA OUTINGS: As with Senator Herb Kohl (D-Wis) and Representative John Kasich (R-Ohio), both Senators Larry Pressler (R-SD) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) are feeling the heat since voting for the anti-gay Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Sen. Pressler has addressed rumors that he is gay. Author Alexander Cockburn's recent book, Washington Babylon states that Pressler married in 1982 "amid speculation he was gay." Pressler insists that Cockburn is connected to Democratic opponent Rep. Tim Johnson and released a campaign ad attacking Johnson, calling the claim "mean-spirited, malicious and untrue." Johnson has repeatedly denied any connection to the gay allegations and claims that it is Pressler that is making the gay rumors an issue. Sen. Mikulski, on the other hand, is remaining hushed about her rumored homosexuality. In the Baltimore Alternative, Mikulski refused to comment during repeated questions by a reporter, including asking point-blank if she is a lesbian. For more information contact Paul Sloca (Associated Press, Sioux Falls) at (605) 332-3111; Charles Mueller (Baltimore Alternative) at (410) 235-3401. Erratum: A headline in the September 30 issue of GLAADlines implied that Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin is a Republican. He is actually a Democrat. GLAAD regrets any confusion this may have caused. To report events that merit media coverage, or news stories breaking in your area, please contact us. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is the nation's lesbian & gay news bureau and the only national lesbian & gay multimedia watchdog organization. GLAAD promotes fair, accurate, and inclusive representation as a means of challenging discrimination based on sexual orientation or identity. To subscribe contact Don Romesburg at (415) 861-2244 or at romesburg@glaad.org. 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